Bag holder

ABSTRACT

A plastic bag holder fitted to receive plastic bags commonly used in yard clean-up and known as leaf bags which is collapsible for easy storage and transportable for greater facility in its use about one&#39;&#39;s yard.

1mm States tet 1 1 Shagoury 1 Aug. 28, 1973 1 BAG HOLDER 2.113.153 4/1938 .lonassen :43, 101

. '7 [76] Inventor: Paul B. Shagoury, 547 Nicholes St., Haffey 38/98 NOIWOOd, M3889 957 2 0 5 1910 22 Fl (1: N 947,419 1/1910 1 e 0v 26, 1971 3,638,888 2/1972 Ross 248/97 [21] Appl. No.: 202,115

Primary Examiner-Benajmin Hersh [52] us. c1. 280/36 c 248/98 Exammkmbe" 8mg 51 1111. C1 B621) 11/00 may-REM Benway [58] Field of Search 280/4726, 36 C;

248/98, 97,95, 101, 99 [57] ABSTRACT A plastic bag holder fitted to receive plastic bags com References Cited monly used in yard clean-up and known as leaf bags UNITED STATES PATENTS which is collapsible for easy storage and transportable 553 455 H1896 Evered 248/98 for greater facility in its use about one's yard. 1,718,962 7/1929 Kimball 280/4726 1 Claim, 12 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 28,1973 7 3,754,771

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

PAUL B. SHAGOURY W FM ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 28, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PAUL B. SHAGOURY WF-W ATTORNEY BAG HOLDER Plastic bags have been developed recently and have found wide usage for many tasks. They are used to line barrels and wastepaper baskets. When they are full, they can then be removed, tied at the end, and disposed of as a single unit which permits the barrel or container to remain clean. Plastic bags can also be used alone to receive debris for ultimate disposal. However, the plas' tic bag alone is difficult unless it is held open to receive the debris or materials.- A problem encountered with reference to using the plastic bag known on the market as leaf bags to receive yard debris, which is leaves and twigs, has been when the leaf bags are placed in a barrel as a barrel liner the leaves do not permit the plastic liner to be removed from the barrel once it is full. Leaves in the plastic liner creates a vacuum against the walls of the barrel and makes it extremely difiicult to remove the plastic bag when it is full. Just one twig will wedge itself in, in such a manner, that the plastic bag cannot be removed without being ripped or torn. Plastic trash can liners when filled with materials other then leaves does not create as much a vacumm against the walls of the trash barrel as there is air space between the trash and the plastic liners maybe be lifted out from the trash barrel with ease and little difficulty. However, when the trash barrel liner is filled with leaves it becomes extremely difficult for even an adult male to lift the plastic liner from a trash barrel as the leaves creates a vacuum against the inside walls of the trash barrel as there is no air space between the leaves. The plastic bag or leaf bag for receiving yard debris or leaves therefore must be independent from a barrel or trash can container. It must stand alone.

With the recent concern for air pollution the disposable bags for receiving leaves and other yard debris is increasingly important. As explained above the open bag must be held open to receive any significant quantity of leaves or yard debris with ease. The present inventor has determined that this bag not only must be held open and have a large ring design but it must also be rigidly supported and must be able to be transported around the yard until it was entirely filled before it is removed for disposal.

Another problem with having a transportable plastic bag holder which fully supports the loaded or filled bag is that the bag must be removable from the holder in such a manner that the contents are not interferred with so that the bag can be tied and removed from the holder without causing a rip or tear in the plastic bag to appear and the ultimate spreading of the leaves and material which one has gathered to fill the bag in the first place. Considerable economy can be attained with this present invention in that only one half the number of bags be used to clean up owing to the manner in which the bag is held and filled.

it has also been discovered that a separate bag holding component can be fabricated, which when clamped on to a conventional cart that is presently available for removal of barrels, a leaf bag holder can and is provided. This conversion item will make a conventional cart, which many homeowners presently own, into a leaf bag holder which is comparable to the entire bag holder available in the present invention. The bag holder can be readily removed returning the cart to its original design. However, converting the cart back to the conventional design would not be necessary for two reasons. First, the bag holder ring can swing out of the way and into the back of the cart and no interference would be had with the use of the cart as a device for picking up and moving barrels which are full. Moveover, providing the barrel has a high enough perimeter, the ring will slip over and around the outside perimeter of the barrel and when the barrel is brought to the desired location and the cart is then slipped down so that the barrel stands on its own weight, the ring will prevent the barrel from tipping over.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a leaf bag holder which can be moved about readily.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a leaf bag holder which will convert a conventional two-wheel cart into a leaf bag holder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a leaf bag holder which is collapsible and easily stowable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stowable leaf bag holder which permits plastic bags which are full to be removed without damage to the bag.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stowable leaf bag holder which fully supports a loaded bag.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed specification especially when read in conjunction with the attached drawing of which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention in a folded up state.

FIG. 3 is a view from the side of the bag holder with a bag in place.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hinge for the ring support.

FIG. 5 is a view of bolt arrangement for ring 12.

FIG. 6 is a plastic clamp for holding the bag in place.

FIG. 7 is a view of another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the split ring of FIG. 7, and a conversion unit for leaf bag holders of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a third embodiment.

FIG. l0 is a more detailed view of the support arrangement of FIG. 9, and a conversion unit for leaf bag holders of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a view of a conversion unit for leaf bag holders of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is another view of the conversion bag holder showing the bolt arrangement of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 we see a view of the present invention. The frame 11 has a ring l2 which supports the bag. A base I3 supports the lower end of the bag. A cross bar 17 and three cross bars 16 provides the additional support needed in the leaf bag holder. Handle 18 is provided to permit the operator to move the bag holder around wheels 14 mounted on axel l5 permits the unit to be moved about when the handle 18 is tilted toward the user. Wheels 14 should be of large diameter to accomodate the uneven terrain encountered in yards.

Referring to FIG. 2 we see that ring I2 can swing over handle 18 in both directions 34 and will come to rest against the side supports 11 folding up very neatly.

We also note that 13 folds up against side supports ll in direction of arrow 35. When not used then, 12 and 13 are folded up and the unit is compact for storage or is hung on a wall perhaps by means of handle 18.

Referring now to FIG. 3 we see a side view of bag holder 11 with a bag 37 placed therein. The bags top edge is placed over the ring 12 and plastic strips clamp the bag to the ring by clips 36.

FIG. 6 shows clips 36 from a side angle. Clips 36 can be made from any grade of plastic or from metal; however, plastic has been utilized very successfully. ln essence, so long as the material has some resilience, it will stretch out over rim l2 and press in again holding the plastic bag tightly in place over the perimeter of the ring 12.

Referring to FIG. we see a cut away section of handle 18. A bolt 25 is placed through handle 18. A washer 26 and nylon bushings 27 are placed on bolt 25 on the outside as shown of handle 18. On the inside of handle 18 a sleeve tubing 28 is slipped over bolt 25 so that when lock nut 29 is tightened against handle 18, allowing the nylon bushing to be pressed against the outside of handle 18 and frame 11. The purpose of sleeve 28 and bushings 27 and washers 26 is to create tension on support braces 23 so that when ring 12 is slipped up and over frame 11 and handle 18, ring 12 will remain snugly against frame 11 and not flop loosely about. If ring 12 should become loose a mere twist of lock nut 29 would give the desired tension to ring 12 to maintain it in its proper position behind frame 11 when not in use.

We also note that the base 13 supports the bottom of the bag. When a great deal of material is placed in the plastic bags open mouth, substantial weight is placed on the sides and bottom of the bag. In order to avoid abrading or ripping of the bag, support from cross bars 16 and 17 is needed.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 platform 13 touches the ground at the extreme or curvilinear end. Side strip .11 touches the ground at a point just in front of the wheel 14. This provides a very stable stand for the unit having contact at the wheels 14, at the extremity of side supports 11 and the bottom of platform 13. When the unit is moved, handle 18 is grabbed causing wheels 14 to be engaged thus permitting the unit to be wheeled about without difficulty. The side support 17 and base supports 16, frame 11, base 13 and arms 33 are so arranged that the plastic bag when the unit is being wheeled around is held away from the wheels and/or the ground thereby avoiding unnecessary abrasion.

When the bag is full, clips 6 are removed and the sides of the bag are folded in over the leaves or debris. Then the ring is flipped up and over frame 11 permitting the user to tie the top of the plastic bag for disposal without interference from ring 12. Ring 12 does not have to be disengaged but merely flipped up and over and out of'the way. Here a decided advantage over the prior art is made available, that is the plastic bag does not have to be lifted up out of anything. The ring support is free to move away from the loaded bag and thereby will not cause ripping of the plastic bag and ultimately the spillage of its content.

Referring back to FIG. 1, we note the support ring 12 has a relatively small cutout which permits the unit to swing out up and over handle 18. This opening is usually about 6 inches compared to an inside diameter of approximately 20 inches. A ratio close to this does not interfere with the bag support. However, if this opening were to great, a segment of the bag would not be held in place and as the bags were loaded, the plastic would slip out of its support and the contents would spell or the bag would rip. It is therefore essential that the ratio of the opening part approximately one to the diameter to ring 12. Edge 22 permits the ring to rest rigidly in place so that the bag can be held in an appropriate position with reference to the entire unit. Edge 24 enables the unit to be swung up and over handle 18 so that ring 12 snugly fits up against unit 11 on its reverse side.

Referring to FIG. 3 we note supports for base 13, they consist of rigid supports 30 which are also of steel and foldable, arm 33 also is made of steel. This permits the unit to be rigidly held in place when the leaves are being placed in the leaf bag but when the arms 33 are folded up the base is then able to swing up against the body of the frame 11 for storage. Supports 30 is at right angles from frame 11 to base 13. This allows base 13 to touch the ground at a slight angle providing a solid foundation for base 13, side strip 11, and wheels 14. Base 13 is riveted in two places onto supports 30 is shown as rivets 31. Arm support 30 is riveted at the tip of frame 11, which is pivot point 32 and at the tip of base 13. Base 13 is against frame 11 before it is riveted so that when base 13 is fully extended at an-approximately 90 degree angle, the end of base 13 comes to a full stop on the edge of frame 13. This causes an extremely solid support for base 13 and base 13 does not depend upon arms 33 to carry the weight of the bag. Arms 33 main function is to prevent base 13 from collapsing when the leaf bag 32 is being filled while on ring 12. Pivot point 32 allows base 13 to be collasped for storage.

Referring to FIG. 7 another embodiment is shown. Here the base remains the same as the proceeding unit, but, the top section is substantially different. The frame is extended to form a handle 74. And the ring is split to form two sections 73 and 72. Section 72 swings up over handle 74 for bag removal and storage as previously described.

FIG. 8 shows the split ring in greater detail. Screw 76 bolts directly to the frame and attaches both the stationary and movable sections to the frame. A small nylon washer between the split sections permits the unit to have free movement. Studs 80 and 79 are welded to its stationary member 73 and hold the ring section 72 in bag receiving positions and stationary member firmly in place on the frame respectively.

It will be noted that split ring units 72 and 73 can be utilized as a conversion unit with any existing cart as was described above in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12, by merely bolting the unit to the frame.

Referring to FIG. 9 still another embodiment is shown. Here the advantage of the top ring attachment lies in its ability to be extended over this base more accurately. It like the above embodiments has the ring arranged to be movable such that the bag is easily removed when full and the ring moves out of the way for easy storage. In FIG. 10 ring 89 is positioned by the rearrangements of bolts 93 and 92 in selected holes 94.

The ring is bolted to frame 85 by means of bolt 88. A nylon washer facilitates movements of units in the same manner that the other units are operated. This unit can also be used as a conversion unit for conventional carts like that shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to the base of this unit a slightly different arrangement is shown. Rivets 96 extends through the frame 85 and the base 13 to hold the base firmly in place. Shaft 95 extends-through base 13 and rests on the front of frame 85 for a rigid support. Base 13 is free to rotate above shaft 95 whenever foldable arm 33 are released. This unit will provide move physical strength than that earlier described inorder to carry heavier loads.

Referring now to FIG. 11 we see a conversion version of the FIG. 1. Here the top part consisting of handle 18 and ring 12 are placed on a U-shaped beam 65. The upper curvilinear end of the conventional cart which is sold extensively 66 placed under this unit and the U- beam slips over the top of this handle. Two screws 67 are then passed through both ends and a nut 68 holds the unit in place.

Referring to FIG. 12 we see the cut away section 12 in FIG. ill. The U-beam slides over the top of the handle 66 and then bolts 67 slips through the U-beam just under the handle at its extreme end and a nut 68 is taken up on bolt 64 holding the unit rigidly in place.

The user of a conversion unit can therefore convert his conventional cart for temporary use as a leaf bag holder for a limited period through the year. Moreover, this conversion unit will convert the cart into a much safer barrel carrier in that the ring can be slipped over a barrel once in place and will prevent it from tipping over when the cart is brought to rest.

Although I have described my invention with reference to specific apparatus, I do not wish to be limited thereby. I wish to be limited only by the appended claims, for those skilled in the art may make many substitutions without departing from its true scope and spirit.

I claim:

1. A plastic bag holder comprising,

an upright frame having a pair of laterally spaced wheels mounted on a lower portion thereof,

a support ring having a fixed segment rigidly attached to an upper portion of said upright frame and so disposed to cradle a plastic bag placed thereon and a segment swingably connected to said fixed segment and disposed to coact with said fixed segment for receiving the open end of a plastic bag,

a handle disposed above said support ring attached to said frame,

said second segment of said ring so arranged to support a bag in one position and swing out of the way in order to facilitate bag removal and storage of the unit,

two rigid ends extending from said frame whereby the frame stands upright disengaging its wheels,

an upwardly foldable base attached to the lower end of said frame for receiving the end of a bag for support,

said wheeled frame and frame ends so disposed to permit said bag holder to be tilted back and wheeled about,

preselected, transverse, contoured supports secured to an intermediate portion of said frame for cradling the bag in place within said frame and said base,

resilient plastic clips shaped to coact with said fixed segment and said swingable segment for holding said bag in open position on said support ring without nicking or tearing said plastic bag. 

1. A plastic bag holder comprising, an upright frame having a pair of laterally spaced wheels mounted on a lower portion thereof, a support ring having a fixed segment rigidly attached to an upper portion of said upright frame and so disposed to cradle a plastic bag placed thereon and a segment swingably connected to said fixed segment and disposed to coact with said fixed segment for receiving the open end of a plastic bag, a handle disposed above said support ring attached to said frame, said second segment of said ring so arranged to support a bag in one position and swing out of the way in order to facilitate bag removal and storage of the unit, two rigid ends extending from said frame whereby the frame stands upright disengaging its wheels, an upwardly foldable base attached to the lower end of said frame for receiving the end of a bag for support, said wheeled frame and frame ends so disposed to permit said bag holder to be tilted back and wheeled about, preselected, transverse, contoured supports secured to an intermediate portion of said frame for cradling the bag in place within said frame and said base, resilient plastic clips shaped to coact with said fixed segment and said swingable segment for holding said bag in open position on said support ring without nicking or tearing said plastic bag. 